In November 2007 the Richland County Sheriff’s Department implemented a problem solving policing technique that centered around the leaders of the illegal activity in and around the Hollywood Hills community. Sheriff Lott directed the Community Action Team to survey the community on their concerns and what they felt kept crime going in their community. Sheriff Lott then identified the main criminals in the Hollywood Hills Community and with warrants in hand (ranging from trafficking crack to Possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime) he worked to identify those that are the most influential in the lives of the “criminals” of Hollywood Hills (mothers, grandmothers, pastors/mentors).      

Sheriff Lott, armed with warrants, information and a plan, invited these criminals to a meeting held at the Crane Creek Community Center on November 20, 2007.  During the meeting the collaborative team of church and community leaders, service organizations and the Sheriff presented the criminal’s their history of behavior and the outstanding warrants for their arrests and offered them options -- stop or go to jail.   

Five criminals showed up to the meeting and asked for assistance in getting on the right track. Those that did not show up or continued to break the law were arrested; during the November to February operation forty-four arrests were made. Two deputy Sheriffs were assigned to patrol and conduct clean sweeps (removal of trash and abandoned cars) in the Hollywood Hills community 24/7 during that same period.

Sheriff Lott stated that he learned about the problem solving policing tactic for confronting criminals from a meeting with law enforcement leaders from North Carolina – High Point North Carolina had conducted this successful intervention program in 2004 that centered around education of the community, involvement of the community, arrest of criminals and most importantly intervention with those that constitute the criminal element. Sheriff Lott brought this initiative to Richland County as an alternative effort to taking back the Hollywood Hills Community.

This operation began with meeting with and asking community leaders and citizens what they felt needed to be addressed and in turn asking for assistance from the community in solving the issues that plagued our neighborhood. Sheriff Lott stated that the problem solving community policing approach has successfully reduced crime in Hollywood Hills by 53% and that he is committed to doing whatever it takes to improve the quality of life in Richland County for all citizens.